In Memoriam:

December 7, 2017

Photo: Matt Cummins

Submitting an ObituaryWe will share the news of a SUNY Oswego college community member’s death when we receive the information from a family member, friend or another source in the form of a previously published notice, typically from a newspaper or funeral home. Please send such notices to the Office of Alumni Relations, c/o In Memoriam, SUNY Oswego, Oswego NY 13126; or email alumni@oswego.edu.

Dorothy Cummings Hiler ’33 of Phoenix, N.Y., died July 21, 2017, at the age of 108. She taught in the Phoenix Central School District, retiring in 1972. Dorothy is survived by her sons, William and his wife, Carolyn Guyle Hiler ’60, and Lawrence; and her granddaughter, Kathryn Hiler.

Genevieve Walker Henry ’42 of Liverpool, N.Y., died Aug. 10, 2017. She taught in the Ithaca City School District for 23 years. Gen was predeceased by her husband, Donald Henry ’43. She is survived by five children, 16 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Francis Campbell ’45 of Tucson, Ariz., died June 28, 2017. He served as a pilot during World War II. Frank taught industrial arts in Lowville, N.Y., for 15 years and was an industrial designer for General Electric in Syracuse, N.Y., and Chesapeake, Va., for 27 years. Surviving are his wife, Fern Clement Campbell ’43; sons, Tom and Doug; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Oscar Edgar Babenzien ’47 of Newark Valley, N.Y., died Oct. 24, 2013. Ed served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He taught industrial arts for 30 years at Newark Valley Central School. He was mayor and civil defense coordinator for the Village of Newark Valley. Ed was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Bowlby Babenzien ’44. He is survived by his children, Sherry Babenzien Asfoury ’67, Susan Symula and Mark; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

John Canale ’47 M’50 of Oswego died July 18, 2017. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He taught at Kingsford Park School in the Oswego City School District for 18 years before taking an administrative position. John was a substitute teacher in Oswego until June 2017, sharing songs and stories of his service in World War II with hundreds of Oswego High School and Oswego Middle School students. His service in the Oswego City School District spanned 66 years. John was inducted into the SUNY Oswego Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. He is survived by his wife, Angeline; a son, Gregory; three grandsons; and his sister, Mary Canale Ghent ’60.

Frank Burke ’50 of Naples, Fla., died May 26, 2017. He served with the U.S. Army. Frank earned a master’s degree from Hofstra University and a doctorate from New York University and Nova Florida. He was a teacher and administrator in Hicksville (N.Y.) Public Schools. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and three children.

Janet Hackel Goldman ’50 of West Hempstead, N.Y., died July 15, 2017. She earned a master’s degree at Hofstra University. Surviving are her husband, Henry, two daughters and two grandsons.

Constance Holmes Bond ’51 M’54 of Oswego died Aug. 4, 2017. She completed courses for her doctorate at Columbia University. Connie taught at Hannibal Central School, Geneseo Campus School and Oswego Campus School. In 1961, she became an assistant professor of education at Oswego, and retired as an associate professor of education in 1991. Connie is survived by her sister, Barbara Boyce, and her close friend, F. Elizabeth “Betty” Moody, Emerita Dean of Professional Studies and Professor of Education. Gifts in Connie’s memory can be made to the Constance J. Bond Fund, c/o the Oswego College Foundation Inc., 215 Sheldon Hall, Oswego, N.Y. 13126.

Robert Washer ’51 of Mexico, N.Y., died March 6, 2017. He served with the U.S. Air Force in World War II. Bob taught industrial arts at Mexico High School for most of his more than 30 years as an educator, and was a cooperating teacher to many SUNY Oswego student teachers. He is survived by his wife, Greta; seven children, including Walter ’70 and his wife, Patricia Jordan Washer ’71, Cheryl Washer Curry ’82 and Annette Washer Richardson ’84; 21 grandchildren, including Jennifer Curry ’10; 25 great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.

Mary Economos Klotsas ’53 of Highland Beach, N.Y., died Dec. 10, 2016. She taught in Brooklyn at the Eastplain School and in Plainedge Union Free School District #18 in North Massapequa, N.Y. Mary is survived by her husband, Eracles.

Audrey “Joyce” Hopkin Miles ’53 of Sandy Creek, N.Y., died June 13, 2017. Joyce taught in the Sandy Creek Central School District for 34 years. Along with her husband, Denver ’50, who predeceased her in 2007, Joyce turned an old church at the corner of routes 3 and 15 into a well-known and loved country store, The Church Mouse. She is survived by her children, James, Denise Yerdon, Randy ’79 and daughter-in-law, Donna Leno Miles ’80, and Martha Lawrence; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Floraine Unger Rosenberg ’53 of Miami, Fla., died Aug. 8, 2017. Floraine taught in Miami for many years. She was predeceased by her husband, William Rosenberg ’51. Floraine is survived by two children and five grandchildren.

Nancy Brown DeLorenzo ’54 of Syracuse, N.Y., died July 20, 2017. She taught in Syracuse area schools. She is survived by her husband, Richard; four children and five grandchildren.

Richard Little ’54 of Stamford, N.Y., died June 9, 2017. He earned master’s and administrative degrees from SUNY New Paltz. Dick began his career as a teacher and administrator in the Ossining (N.Y.) Union Free School District. In 1971, he became assistant principal in the Stamford Central School District, then served as superintendent of schools from 1972 until his retirement in 1987. In retirement he was the interim superintendent in a number of school districts and was an adjunct professor at Hartwick College. Dick is survived by his wife, Priscilla, three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Marion Johnson Doherty ’55 of Richmond, Va., died Aug. 20, 2017. She taught in Huntington, N.Y., and Kensington, Md., and was employed at the Salisbury Country Club from 1967 to 1998. Surviving are her husband, John ’55; son, John; and three grandchildren.

Lois Stolp M’55, Emerita Librarian, died Aug. 21, 2017. She earned a bachelor’s degree at SUNY Geneseo. Lois was an associate librarian in Penfield Library’s Special Collections. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard, who was a maintenance supervisor at SUNY. Lois is survived by her daughter, Lori Stolp Costo ’94, and grandsons, Nicholas and Joshua Costo ’17.

Jasper Watts ’55 of Rockland, Md., died June 17, 2017. He served as an aviator with the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring as a lieutenant commander. He later became superintendent of buildings and grounds for the Hingham Public School District in Massachusetts. Jasper is survived by his wife, Marie Leubner Watts M’52; his sons, David, Alan and Daryl; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Donald Friedman ’58 of Smithtown, N.Y., died June 22, 2017. Prior to his retirement, he was the director of pupil personnel services for the Hauppauge (N.Y.) Union Free School District. Donald is survived by his wife, Mary, three daughters and 11 grandchildren.

Raymond Page ’58 of Parkville, Md., died Aug. 3, 2017. He joined the U.S. Army in 1953. Raymond earned a master’s degree from SUNY Oneonta. He began his career with SUNY Oneonta, overseeing the student teacher program in Norwich. In 1967, he accepted a teaching position in the Greece (N.Y.) Central School District, and eventually was named the superintendent of schools. He retired after 30 years of service. Raymond is survived by his wife, Susan, three children and nine grandchildren.

Carolyn Zammiello Spanfelner ’58 of Utica, N.Y., died May 20, 2017. She began her teaching career at Frankfort (N.Y.) Elementary School. She later taught in the Utica City School District for many years, retiring in 1994. Surviving are her daughter, Julie; sons, Christopher and Joseph ’85; and three grandchildren.

Maurice Barkan ’59 of Hauppauge, N.Y., died Sept. 16, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Myra Rosenberg Barkan ’59.

Judith Poons Cohn ’60 of Pebble Beach, Calif., died June 14, 2017. Judy is survived by her husband, Larry; her children, Debi and Jason; and two grandchildren.

Elizabeth Higham Sauerzopf ’60 of Horseheads, N.Y., died June 6, 2017. Betty taught in the Auburn (N.Y.) City School District for two years before moving to the Horseheads Central School District, where she taught for three years. While raising her family, she founded and operated her own nursery school. She later taught childcare with SCT BOCES. She is survived by her husband, Robert ’60; sons, John and Richard; daughter, Katherine Sauerzopf; and three grandchildren.

Stuart Messur ’62 of Geneva, N.Y., died July 25, 2017. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1951 to 1954, and was on active duty from 1954 to 1956. He began his teaching career in Whitney Point, N.Y., and taught industrial arts technology at Geneva High School for 35 years. Stuart is survived by his wife, Barbara, three children and seven grandchildren.

Fred Boettger ’67 of Troy, N.Y., died July 28, 2017. He served with the Aviation Engineers during World War II. Fred had been employed with General Electric and Adirondack Foundries Inc., and later as a teacher and director of vocational education for the Troy City School District, retiring in 1983. He is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Robert Costa ’68 of Syracuse, N.Y., died June 7, 2016. He taught in a number of schools in the Central New York area and later worked for the Onondaga County Department of Social Services. He is survived by his sister, Jeanne Makarainen.

James Goodall ’69 M’86 of Oswego died Aug. 8, 2017. He was a teacher in the Fulton (N.Y.) City School District for more than 33 years. “Batman” is survived by his wife, Constance; a daughter, Robin Monsour; and two grandchildren.

Kenneth Lawton Jr. ’70 of Mohawk, N.Y., died May 25, 2017. He taught earth science and physical science in the Richfield Springs (N.Y.) Central School District, retiring in 2003. Ken is survived by his wife, Barbara, three children, six grandchildren and his siblings, including his sister, Kathryn Lawton ’94.

Frances Morgenstern ’72 of Ira, N.Y., died May 21, 2017. She was an associate professor at SUNY Upstate Medical Center for 22 years, retiring in 1994. Frances is survived by six children, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Marsha Schoff ’72 of Rome, N.Y., died June 28, 2017. She taught in the West Genesee (N.Y.) School District until her retirement in 2012. She was predeceased by her sister, Brenda Schoff ’80, on Feb. 19, 2017. Marsha is survived by her brother, Charles, and two nieces.

Patricia Guenther ’73 of North Syracuse, N.Y., died May 30, 2017. She was a graduate of Onondaga Community College. Patty had been employed by General Electric and Xerox. She is survived by her brother, Wayne; nephew, Aaron Guenther ’97; niece, Emily Giuliano; and several great nieces and nephews.

Charles Mihalyi ’74 of Glenfield, N.Y., died Jan. 30, 2014. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Rochester. He taught classes at Jefferson Community College, Fort Drum and Dry Hill Prison in Watertown, N.Y., for a number of years. Surviving are his mother, Bernice; four siblings; and nieces and nephews.

Antoine Delity ’75 of Bowie, Md., died Jan. 13, 2017. After college, Tony served with the Peace Corps in Swaziland, Africa, before beginning a 37-year career with Prince George’s County Public Schools. He is survived by his wife, Lisa; two brothers; and nieces and nephews.

Bruce Zukowski ’77 of Valrico, Fla., died Feb. 18, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, three children, two grandchildren and his mother, Gertrude.

Michael Fultz ’83 of Oswego died Aug. 20, 2017. He was employed with Bomac Inc. Surviving are his brothers William ’77 and Timothy; his sister, Mary Fultz; and several nieces and nephews.

Jean Clancy Strobel ’84 of Trumbull, Conn., died June 2, 2017. She was a para-professional at Middlebrook School. Jean is survived by her husband, Barry; two children; her mother, Arlene Clancy; and her siblings.

Laura Sieckmann Reed ’90 of Orchard Park, N.Y., died May 20, 2017. She is survived by her husband, Jeff; two children, Catherine and Connell; her father, Edwin Sieckmann; and her siblings, including Susan Sieckmann LoVullo ’85.

Ruth Ann Boardman Baumbach ’93 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., died July 16, 2017. She began her education at Cabrini University, but put her education on hold to raise her family. She returned to college at Oswego after her children were in school. Ruth Ann also earned a master’s degree from Empire State College. She taught at St. Mary’s Academy for 19 years, retiring in 2013. She is survived by her husband, Gregory, six children and 14 grandchildren.

William Bordner ’95 of Seneca Falls, N.Y., died June 4, 2017. He served with the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1960. He previously worked at Evans Chemetics and retired as manager from International Paper. Billy is survived by two sons, William and Gerald.

Debra Blauvelt M’08 of Phoenix, N.Y., died July 26, 2017. She earned a bachelor’s degree at West Virginia University. Debra was employed at Home Depot. She is survived by her parents, Donald ’62 and Linda Mykland Blauvelt ’62, and her sister, Kristen.

Jamie Vescio Sosenko ’14 of Oswego died June 18, 2017. She worked as a nurse in the Fulton Hospital for many years. She is survived by her son, John; her father, Angelo Vescio; and siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Ralph Spencer, Provost and Professor Emeritus of Business Administration, of Watertown, N.Y., died July 14, 2017. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1945-1946. Ralph graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in 1951 and a master’s degree in 1953. He earned a doctorate in education from Cornell University in 1964. Ralph came to Oswego as the dean of professional studies and professor of education in 1970. In 1977, he was appointed vice president for academic affairs and provost, and served as acting president when the president was on leave. He also taught management courses in the business department until 1990. Ralph was instrumental in developing the SUNY North Country Fort Drum Consortium for Higher Education. He was awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Services in 1977. He is survived by his wife, Marion, two children and four grandchildren. Gifts in Ralph’s memory may be made to the Dr. Ralph Spencer Memorial Scholarship, c/o Oswego College Foundation Inc., 215 Sheldon Hall, Oswego, NY 13126 or online at alumni.oswego.edu/givenow.